Advocates for social welfare are continuing calls for bipartisan support for major projects in Ballarat, less than two weeks out from the state election on November 24.
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It remains uncertain if Ballarat will receive support for those most in need after the election date.
Ballarat social service organisations have called for both major parties to invest in affordable housing. Uniting Ballarat revealed more than 100 people are currently waiting for public housing in Ballarat.
In October, premier Daniel Andrews and housing minister Martin Foley announced Ballarat would receive a share of 1000 new public houses if a Labor government was re-elected.
Under the Labor government promise, there would be 800 one and two-bedroom homes and 200 three-bedroom homes to be built in Geelong, Ballarat, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Stonnington and Whitehorse council areas by 2022. The exact number of houses planned for each location has not been divulged.
The new units would be aimed at accommodating survivors of family violence and getting people off the streets. But the promise does not meet the need identified by the Council to Homeless Persons, which has been lobbying for 3000 new public housing properties annually for 10 years in Victoria.
A Liberal-National plan to improve access to housing announced in July is focused on housing affordability in Melbourne’s growth zones and does not include Ballarat.
While the rising cost of housing is placing increasing pressure on families, more people in Ballarat are skipping meals to pay their rent or mortgage.
The Ballarat Foundation has called for a commitment from both major parties to fund a food distribution hub in Ballarat to improve the city’s capacity to provide food relief.
More than 12 per cent of Ballarat’s population access emergency food relief services each year, according to Ballarat Community Health research.
Earlier this month Ripon MP Louise Staley and Nationals leader Peter Walsh announced the Liberal-National coalition would contribute $1.5 million to create a food distribution centre in Ballarat if successful at the November state election.
The funding will support the Ballarat Foundation to purchase land at the Ballarat West Employment Zone and construct a 100 square metre warehouse to host the Ballarat Food Security Centre.
The Victorian Labor party is yet to commit to funding the project.
While more people in Ballarat are skipping meals to pay the bills, sanitary items also become a luxury item for many women and girls.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on November 15 a re-elected Labor government would provide free pads and tampons to all government schools.
Meanwhile, both major parties have continued their focus on family violence prevention and support statewide.
In June the Liberal-National coalition revealed it would pilot a Family Violence Disclosure Scheme at six sites across the state.
Under the scheme a person in a relationship, or a concerned third party, such as a friend, relative or professional working with the family, may apply to Victoria Police to find out if their current or former partner has a history of violent criminal offences.
The Liberal-National coalition also announced family violence offenders would be subject to mandatory minimum jail sentences for contravention of a family violence order and non-fatal strangulation.
The Labor government has already acted on family violence support and prevention in Ballarat.
In October, Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings announced Ballarat would be a location for an Orange Door family violence support and safety hub. The new model provides a single contact point for those experiencing family violence.
The Labor Government has invested $24 million for research, communications and engagement initiatives for the next four years for Respect Victoria, an independent statutory authority working on family violence prevention.
See what’s on offer at this State Election with our wrap-up coverage on key areas and key promises:
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
